Two of the biggest brands in football, Barclays and Heineken, will be giving an in depth insight into their sports sponsorship strategy at this year’s Soccerex Global Convention, 7-9 September, taking place at the Manchester Central Convention Complex.

Barclays have been established sponsors of the Premier League since 2001 when they first used the sponsorship to promote their Barclaycard brand. Since then the Premier League has become a global power house where it is today broadcasted to 212 territories around the world resulting in Barclays gaining huge worldwide exposure. Nathan Homer, Head of Global Sponsorship and Partnerships at Barclays will be opening up to the industry about how the Premier League has taken the Barclays brand to new markets through sponsorship and discussing the bank’s plans after the Premier League deal expires at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Heineken have been sponsoring the UEFA Champions League since 2005 bringing its sponsorship to over 220 countries worldwide. The UEFA Champions League is now the most watched annual sporting event, with a total audience estimated at 4.2 billion. This huge global audience has allowed Heineken to boost its brand presence in higher growth emerging markets, with expansion into Mexico in 2010 and in Asia in 2013, Heineken is now available in over 170 countries across the globe. Tim Ellerton, Global Sponsorship Manager at Heineken will be addressing Heineken’s long standing sponsorship of the UEFA Champions League.

These two speakers will provide the opportunity to gain a greater insight into how to use sponsorship to promote your brand in the football industry. With sponsorship being such a fundamental aspect in the world of football it is vital that stakeholders understand the key concepts to sponsorship strategy. This is why Soccerex have partnered up with the European Sponsorship Association to ensure the attendance of multiple senior figures from the European Sponsorship Industry at the Convention, as well hosting a series of commercial workshops alongside a dedicated brands and rightsholder breakfast.

Soccerex CEO, Duncan Revie, said: “It is fantastic to have two of the biggest brands in the world of football so actively involved in our Global Convention in September. Their insight to the modern sponsorship market will be invaluable to all delegates looking to gain a greater understanding of how brands and rights holders interact. If you are interested in sponsorship in football then these are the two people you need to meet”.

Barclays and Heineken are just part of a market leading conference programme at the Soccerex Global Convention addressing the key commercial aspects of football. Barclays and Heineken will join an impressive and diverse list of expert speakers that already include the likes of Davor Suker, Croatia Football Federation President and UEFA Executive Committee member, Don Garber, MLS Commissioner, Ian Ritchie, Rugby Football Union CEO, Dave Kaval, San Jose Earthquakes President, Martin Glenn, FA CEO and Javier Tebas, LaLiga President.

The Soccerex Global Convention brings together over 3000 of football’s elite over three days of a thought provoking conference programme packed with business insight, alongside a market-leading international exhibition and extensive networking. A programme of social events completes the schedule for what is widely acknowledged as the world’s leading football business event.